[Solved] $1000-1200 Gaming rig, please review

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (e.g.: this week (the closer the better)) BUDGET RANGE: $1000-1200 Before rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Multi-tasking, Overclocking, non FPS gaming, (basic 2d games, warcraft III, starcraft II) surfing the internet, ripping mp3's.

NOT REQUIRED: monitor, speakers, SSD drive (already ordered)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: cyberpower

PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type i3 540

OVERCLOCKING: Yes, would like to run a stable 4ghz+ 200mhz FSB

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: mostly I want a stable overclocked rig that is also quiet, I will be upgradeing the video card shortly


Heres what I have picked out for about 1000, any tips or suggestions?

CD: Sony 20X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive [+2] (BLACK COLOR)
CD2: None
CAS: Thermaltake Element-T Mid-Tower Case [+28] (Blue Trim)
CS_FAN: Default case fans
CPU: Intel® Core™ i3-540 3.06 GHz 4M L3 Cache LGA1156 [+20]
FAN: CoolerMaster V8 Gaming CPU Cooling Fan (Extreme Silent Operation at only 22dBA + Overclock Proof) [+22]
FREEBIE_RM: FREE! 4GB USB Pen Drive
FA_HDD: None
FLASHMEDIA: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer (BLACK COLOR)
FLOPPY: None
HDD: Single Hard Drive (500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [+10])
HDD2: None
IEEE_CARD: None
KEYBOARD: Saitek Eclipse-II (PK02U) Gaming Keyboard [+45]
MOUSE: Razer Deathadder 3500 DPI High Precision 3.5G Infrared Gaming Mouse [+47]
MODEM: None
MULTIVIEW: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors
MONITOR: None
MONITOR2: None
MOTHERBOARD: [CrossFireX] GigaByte GA-H55M-UD2H Intel H55 Chipset CrossFireX Support DDR3 LGA1156 Ultra Durable™3 mATX w/ Onboard Graphic, HDMI, DVI, Display Port(Digital Display Output), 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, USB2.0, SATA-II, 2 Gen2 PCIe & 2 PCI
MEMORY: 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Module [+49] (Kingston HyperX [+48])
NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
OVERCLOCK: No Overclocking
OS: Microsoft® Windows® 7 Professional [+135] (64-bit Edition)
POWERSUPPLY: 600 Watts Power Supplies [+26] (CoolerMaster Silent Pro [+83])
PRINTER: None
PRINTER_CABLE: None
RUSH: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS
SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
SPEAKERS: None
TEMP: None
TVRC: None
USB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
USBHD: None
USBX: None
VIDEO: ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB DDR2 PCI-Express DVI-I & TVO (Major Brand Powered by ATI)
VIDEO2: None
VIDEO3: None
VC_PHYSX: None
VC_GAMES: None
WNC: PCI Wireless 802.11g 54Mbps Network Interface Card [+19]

thanks for your help ahead of time

That's not going to be a good multi-tasking/gaming build. In fact, it's about the opposite of that...

The i3 is meant to be an HTPC CPU. That means it's not good at CPU intensive tasks (multi-tasking) or gaming.

Obviously, you're buying it prebuilt. My one word of advice: don't. That's more like a $700 machine.

If I had $1,000-$1,200 for a multi-tasking machine, I would build this (all from Newegg):

CPU: i7-860 $280
Mobo: Asus P7P55D-E Pro $190
RAM: Corsair XMS3 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $110
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500 GB $55
Case: Antec 300 Illusion $60
Optical: Cheapest SATA DVD burner $24
GPU: HD 5770 $155 after rebate
PSU: OCZ Z-Series 650W $90 after rebate
OS: Windows 7 Pro 64-bit OEM $140

Total: $1,104. And that's without even looking into any combos or other cheap options.

Well if there was a quadcore 32nm I would buy that but i don't run any demanding game, or do DVD ripping. Seems like this chip clocks to 4ghz on low voltage n less heat then a i7 920. As for cyberpower, they have alot of custum options so I thought that would still be quality.

Best answer selected by Cschuele.

I'm not for or against any part. It's all about it's intended use. The i3 is inteneded to be an HTPC CPU or a low budget integrated graphics option. It is not to be used for gaming or anything else.

If you really want something that will be around for a while, get an AMD build (such as the Athlon II X4 620 and Asus M4A79XTD EVO). Their socket is set to be around for a long time, unlike either of Intel's.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145285
does this RAM work on the h55 platform?

So you guys think I should spend the 200-300 more and get a i7? I put together a list from newegg with the i3 build and it totals $925. I mean, an i3 @4ghz should come close to an i7 920 in most applications I would think, other then dvd ripping/software written to take advantage of the extra cores. Lower power consumption would be one of my goals, I wouldnt want to push past 120-130watts load usage.

Agree. The i3@4 GHz matching the i7 assumes you DON'T overclock the i7. Which if you're planning on OCing, why would you do it on one CPU and not another?